Cross-Sectional Associations between Prenatal Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances and Bioactive Lipids in Three Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohorts.

Prenatal per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure may influence gestational outcomes through bioactive lipids─metabolic and inflammation pathway indicators. We estimated associations between prenatal PFAS exposure and bioactive lipids, measuring 12 serum PFAS and 50 plasma bioactive lipids in 414 pregnant women (median 17.4 weeks' gestation) from three Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes Program cohorts. Pairwise association estimates across cohorts were obtained through linear mixed models and meta-analysis, adjusting the former for false discovery rates. Associations between the PFAS mixture and bioactive lipids were estimated using quantile g-computation. Pairwise analyses revealed bioactive lipid levels associated with PFDeA, PFNA, PFOA, and PFUdA (p < 0.05) across three enzymatic pathways (cyclooxygenase, cytochrome p450, lipoxygenase) in at least one combined cohort analysis, and PFOA and PFUdA (q < 0.2) in one linear mixed model. The strongest signature revealed doubling in PFOA corresponding with PGD2 (cyclooxygenase pathway; +24.3%, 95% CI: 7.3-43.9%) in the combined cohort. Mixture analysis revealed nine positive associations across all pathways with the PFAS mixture, the strongest signature indicating a quartile increase in the PFAS mixture associated with PGD2 (+34%, 95% CI: 8-66%), primarily driven by PFOS. Bioactive lipids emerged as prenatal PFAS exposure biomarkers, deepening insights into PFAS' influence on pregnancy outcomes.

Associations between oxidative stress biomarkers during pregnancy and infant cognition at 7.5 months.

Oxidative stress has been identified as an important biological pathway leading to neurodevelopmental delay. However, studies assessing the effects of oxidative stress on cognitive outcomes during infancy, a critical period of neurodevelopment, are limited. Our analysis included a subset of those enrolled in the Illinois Kids Development Study (N = 144). Four oxidative stress biomarkers (8-isoprostane-PGF2α , 2,3-dinor-5,6-dihydro-8-iso-PGF2α , 2,3-dinor-8-iso-PGF2α , and prostaglandin-F2α ) were measured in second and third trimesters urine and were averaged. Infant cognition was measured using a visual recognition memory task consisting of five blocks, each with one familiarization trial (two identical stimuli) and two test trials (one familiar and one novel stimulus). Outcomes measured included average run duration (a measure of information processing speed), novelty preference (a measure of recognition memory), time to reach familiarization, and shift rate (measures of attention). Linear regression was used to estimate associations between individual oxidative stress biomarkers and each outcome. Increasing 8-isoprostane-PGF2α , 2,3-dinor-8-iso-PGF2α , and prostaglandin-F2α were associated with a decrease in novelty preference (ß = -0.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.03, 0.00; ß = -0.02, 95% CI = -0.04, 0.00; ß = -0.01, 95% CI = -0.02, 0.00, respectively), as well as a modest increase in shift rate. These findings suggest that oxidative stress may be associated with poorer recognition memory in early infancy.

Avaliação da sonolência e queixas de sono dos estudantes de odontologia da Universidade Federal do Ceará / Evaluation of sleepness and sleep complaints among dentistry students from the federal University of Ceará / Evaluación de somnolencia y quejas de sueño en estudiantes de odontología de la Universidad Federal de Ceará

O sono é um estado essencial para sobrevivência humana, ele exerce função biológica, restauradora e de conservação energética do organismo, promovendo equilíbrio físico e mental. Alta prevalência da má qualidade de sono e sonolência diurna excessiva (SDE) têm sido relatadas por estudantes universitários de diversos cursos, ocasionando prejuízos na concentração e queda dos rendimentos acadêmicos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade de sono, a SDE e suas possíveis associações com sintomas depressivos em estudantes de odontologia. Foi realizado um estudo transversal e descritivo com 251 alunos do curso de odontologia da Faculdade de Farmácia, Odontologia e Enfermagem da Universidade Federal do Ceará. Os instrumentos utilizados foram o Índice de Qualidade de Sono de Pittsburgh (IQSP), Escala de Sonolência de Epworth (ESE) e Inventário de Depressão de Beck (IDB). Verificou-se uma alta prevalência de má qualidade de sono (53,4%) e SDE (35,1%) entre os estudantes, sem diferença significante em relação ao sexo para ambas. Foi encontrada correlação positiva entre IDB com IQSP e ESE (r = 0,478; p = 0,000 e r = 0,202; p = 0,000, respectivamente). Os resultados mostraram uma alta prevalência de má qualidade de sono e SDE e ambos os achados apresentaram associação com sintomas depressivos.

Sleep is an essential state for human survival. It has a biological, restorative and energy conservation function for the organism, promoting physical and mental balance. A high prevalence of poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) has been reported among university students from different courses, causing impaired concentration and a drop in academic performance. This study evaluates sleep quality, EDS and their possible associations with depressive symptoms in dentistry students. A cross-sectional descriptive research was conducted with 251 students from the Dentistry Course at the School of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing, Federal University of Ceará. Variables of interest were assessed by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results show a high prevalence of poor sleep quality (53.4%) and EDS (35.1%) among students, with no significant difference regarding gender. BDI had a positive correlation with PSQI and ESS (r= 0.478, p= 0.000; and r= 0.202, p =0.000, respectively). Both findings were associated with depressive symptoms.

El sueño es un estado esencial para la supervivencia humana, tiene una función biológica, reparadora y de conservación de energía para el organismo, favoreciendo el equilibrio físico y mental. Se ha reportado una alta prevalencia de mala calidad del sueño y somnolencia diurna excesiva (SDE) en estudiantes universitarios de diferentes carreras que provoca alteración de la concentración y caída del rendimiento académico. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la calidad del sueño, la SDE y sus posibles asociaciones con síntomas depresivos en estudiantes de odontología. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal con 251 estudiantes de la carrera de Odontología de la Facultad de Farmacia, Odontología y Enfermería de la Universidad Federal de Ceará. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron el Índice de Calidad del Sueño de Pittsburgh (PSQI), la Escala de Somnolencia de Epworth (ESS) y el Inventario de Depresión de Beck (BDI). Hubo una alta prevalencia de mala calidad del sueño (53,4%) y SDE (35,1%) entre los estudiantes, sin diferencia significativa en relación con el género para ambos. Se encontró una correlación positiva entre BDI con PSQI y ESS (r= 0,478; p= 0,000 y r= 0,202; p = 0,000, respectivamente). Los resultados mostraron una alta prevalencia de mala calidad del sueño y SDE, y ambos hallazgos se asociaron con síntomas depresivos.

Cross-sectional associations between prenatal maternal per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances and bioactive lipids in three Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) cohorts.

Background: Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure can occur through ingestion of contaminated food and water, and inhalation of indoor air contaminated with these chemicals from consumer and industrial products. Prenatal PFAS exposures may confer risk for pregnancy-related outcomes such as hypertensive and metabolic disorders, preterm birth, and impaired fetal development through intermediate metabolic and inflammation pathways. Objective: Estimate associations between maternal pregnancy PFAS exposure (individually and as a mixture) and bioactive lipids. Methods: Our study included pregnant women in the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes Program: Chemicals in our Bodies cohort (CiOB, n=73), Illinois Kids Developmental Study (IKIDS, n=287), and the ECHO-PROTECT cohort (n=54). We measured twelve PFAS in serum and 50 plasma bioactive lipids (parent fatty acids and eicosanoids derived from cytochrome p450, lipoxygenase, and cyclooxygenase) during pregnancy (median 17 gestational weeks). Pairwise associations across cohorts were estimated using linear mixed models and meta-analysis. Associations between the PFAS mixture and individual bioactive lipids were estimated using quantile g-computation. Results: PFDeA, PFOA, and PFUdA were associated (p<0.05) with changes in bioactive lipid levels in all three enzymatic pathways (cyclooxygenase [n=6 signatures]; cytochrome p450 [n=5 signatures]; lipoxygenase [n=7 signatures]) in at least one combined cohort analysis. The strongest signature indicated that a doubling in PFOA corresponded with a 24.3% increase (95% CI [7.3%, 43.9%]) in PGD2 (cyclooxygenase pathway) in the combined cohort. In the mixtures analysis, we observed nine positive signals across all pathways associated with the PFAS mixture. The strongest signature indicated that a quartile increase in the PFAS mixture was associated with a 34% increase in PGD2 (95% CI [8%, 66%]), with PFOS contributing most to the increase. Conclusions: Bioactive lipids were revealed as biomarkers of PFAS exposure and could provide mechanistic insights into PFAS' influence on pregnancy outcomes, informing more precise risk estimation and prevention strategies.

Associations of prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with measures of cognition in 7.5-month-old infants: An exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been linked to a wide array of adverse maternal and child health outcomes. However, studies examining PFAS in relation to offspring cognition have been inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: We examined whether prenatal exposure to a mixture of PFAS was related to cognition in 7.5-month-old infants. METHODS: Our analytic sample included participants enrolled in the Chemicals in Our Bodies (CIOB) and Illinois Kids Development Study (IKIDS) cohorts (N = 163). Seven PFAS were measured in 2nd trimester maternal serum samples and were detected in >65% of participants. Infant cognition was measured with a visual recognition memory task using an infrared eye tracker when infants were 7.5 months old. This task included familiarization trials where each infant was shown two identical faces and test trials where each infant was shown the familiar face paired with a novel face. In familiarization, we assessed average run duration (time looking at familiarization stimuli before looking away) as a measure of information processing speed, in addition to time to familiarization (time to reach 20 s of looking at stimuli) and shift rate (the number of times infants looked between stimuli), both as measures of attention. In test trials, we assessed novelty preference (proportion of time looking to the novel face) to measure recognition memory. Linear regression was used to estimate associations of individual PFAS with cognitive outcomes, while Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) was used to estimate mixture effects. RESULTS: In adjusted single-PFAS linear regression models, an interquartile range increase in PFNA, PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFDeA, and PFUdA was associated with an increase in shift rate, reflecting better visual attention. Using BKMR, increasing quartiles of the PFAS mixture was similarly associated with a modest increase in shift rate. There were no significant associations between PFAS exposure and time to reach familiarization (another measure of attention), average run duration (information processing speed), or novelty preference (visual recognition memory). CONCLUSION: In our study population, prenatal PFAS exposure was modestly associated with an increase in shift rate and was not strongly associated with any adverse cognitive outcomes in 7.5-month-old infants.

Assessment of Psychosocial and Neonatal Risk Factors for Trajectories of Behavioral Dysregulation Among Young Children From 18 to 72 Months of Age.

Importance: Emotional and behavioral dysregulation during early childhood are associated with severe psychiatric, behavioral, and cognitive disorders through adulthood. Identifying the earliest antecedents of persisting emotional and behavioral dysregulation can inform risk detection practices and targeted interventions to promote adaptive developmental trajectories among at-risk children. Objective: To characterize children's emotional and behavioral regulation trajectories and examine risk factors associated with persisting dysregulation across early childhood. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study examined data from 20 United States cohorts participating in Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes, which included 3934 mother-child pairs (singleton births) from 1990 to 2019. Statistical analysis was performed from January to August 2022. Exposures: Standardized self-reports and medical data ascertained maternal, child, and environmental characteristics, including prenatal substance exposures, preterm birth, and multiple psychosocial adversities. Main Outcomes and Measures: Child Behavior Checklist caregiver reports at 18 to 72 months of age, with Dysregulation Profile (CBCL-DP = sum of anxiety/depression, attention, and aggression). Results: The sample included 3934 mother-child pairs studied at 18 to 72 months. Among the mothers, 718 (18.7%) were Hispanic, 275 (7.2%) were non-Hispanic Asian, 1220 (31.8%) were non-Hispanic Black, 1412 (36.9%) were non-Hispanic White; 3501 (89.7%) were at least 21 years of age at delivery. Among the children, 2093 (53.2%) were male, 1178 of 2143 with Psychosocial Adversity Index [PAI] data (55.0%) experienced multiple psychosocial adversities, 1148 (29.2%) were exposed prenatally to at least 1 psychoactive substance, and 3066 (80.2%) were term-born (≥37 weeks' gestation). Growth mixture modeling characterized a 3-class CBCL-DP trajectory model: high and increasing (2.3% [n = 89]), borderline and stable (12.3% [n = 479]), and low and decreasing (85.6% [n = 3366]). Children in high and borderline dysregulation trajectories had more prevalent maternal psychological challenges (29.4%-50.0%). Multinomial logistic regression analyses indicated that children born preterm were more likely to be in the high dysregulation trajectory (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.76; 95% CI, 2.08-3.65; P < .001) or borderline dysregulation trajectory (aOR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.06-1.76; P = .02) vs low dysregulation trajectory. High vs low dysregulation trajectories were less prevalent for girls compared with boys (aOR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.36-1.01; P = .05) and children with lower PAI (aOR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.51-2.49; P < .001). Combined increases in PAI and prenatal substance exposures were associated with increased odds of high vs borderline dysregulation (aOR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.08-1.53; P = .006) and decreased odds of low vs high dysregulation (aOR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.64-0.92; P = .005). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study of behavioral dysregulation trajectories, associations were found with early risk factors. These findings may inform screening and diagnostic practices for addressing observed precursors of persisting dysregulation as they emerge among at-risk children.

Does Postpartum Hypopituitarism Influence the Craniofacial Pattern? A Case-Control Study with Sheehan's Syndrome Patients

This study aimed to assess the craniofacial morphologic aspects of Sheehan's syndrome (SHS) patients.An observational study was performed with 19 women diagnosed with SHS and 19 controls matched by age and sex. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were obtained, and 30 linear and angular measurements were analyzed using the Radiocef Studio 2 software. The mean age of patients was 65.47 ± 10.19 years. The main findings were propositioned maxilla (52.63 %) and mandible (52.63 %) relative to the cranial base, mandibular prognathism in 73.68 %, deep growth pattern in 42.1 %, increased mandibular plane in 36.84 %, and reduction in anterior facial height. The SHS group showed statistically significant differences in SNB (p=0.026), N-Me (p=0.006), soft palate length (p=0.011), and Ena-Me (p<0.001) in comparison with controls. The standard deviation score analysis revealed altered values in relation to total maxillary and mandibular lengths. SHS showed altered craniofacial morphology, characterized by maxillo- mandibular prognathism, brachyfacial type, increased mandibular plane, and reduction in soft palate length. This study reports novel findings in SHS.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar los aspectos morfológicos craneofaciales de los pacientes con síndrome de Sheehan (SHS). Se realizó un estudio observacional con 19 mujeres diagnosticadas con SHS y 19 controles asociados por edad y sexo. Se obtuvieron radiografías cefalométricas laterales y se analizaron 30 medidas lineales y angulares mediante el software Radiocef Studio 2. La edad media de los pacientes fue de 65,47 ± 10,19 años. Los principales hallazgos fueron proposición maxilar (52,63 %) y mandíbula (52,63 %) con respecto a la base del cráneo, prognatismo mandibular en 73,68 %, patrón de crecimiento profundo en 42,1 %, aumento del plano mandibular en 36,84 % y reducción de la altura facial anterior. El grupo SHS mostró diferencias estadísticamente significativas en SNB (p=0,026), N-Me (p=0,006), longitud del paladar blando (p=0,011) y Ena-Me (p<0,001) en comparación con los controles. El análisis de la puntuación de la desviación estándar reveló valores alterados en relación con las longitudes maxilares y mandibulares totales. El SHS mostró una morfología craneofacial alterada, caracterizada por prognatismo maxilomandibular, tipo braquifacial, aumento del plano mandibular y reducción de la longitud del velo del paladar. Este estudio informa hallazgos novedosos en SHS.

Sex-specific associations between urinary bisphenols concentrations during pregnancy and problematic child behaviors at age 2 years.

Effects of prenatal bisphenol A (BPA) exposure on child behavior are mixed with some reports suggesting increased problematic behaviors in girls (e.g., aggression and emotional reactivity) and in boys (i.e., externalizing behaviors), while other reports suggest decreased problematic behaviors in girls. Little is known about the potential impact of pregnancy bisphenol S (BPS) exposure on child behavior. In a prospective cohort study (n = 68), five maternal spot urine samples collected across pregnancy were pooled and analyzed for BPA and BPS. Child behavior at 2 years was assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Linear regression models were used to assess associations between bisphenols concentrations and both composite and syndrome CBCL scales. Exposure x child sex interactions were included in addition to their main effects and sex-stratified analyses were conducted. Models were adjusted for maternal age, number of siblings, and child age at CBCL intake. Mean maternal age was 29.7 years. Most women were White (88%), had an annual household income ≥$50,000 (66%), and at least a college degree (81%). Median concentrations were 1.3 ng/mL (range 0.4-7.2) for BPA and 0.3 ng/mL (range 0.1-3.5) for BPS. Sex modified the relationship between BPA and scores on several syndrome scales-anxious-depressed, aggressive, and sleep problems-where the association was consistently inverse in males in lower BPA concentrations, and positive (more reported behavior problems) among girls in the higher BPA group. Higher BPS was associated with more problematic internalizing behaviors among girls but not boys, and sex modified the relationship between BPS and emotionally reactive behaviors (Pinteraction = 0.128), with sex-specific estimates revealing more emotionally reactive behaviors among girls (expß = 3.92 95% CI 1.16, 13.27; P = 0.028) but not boys. Findings were mixed overall, but one notable finding was that BPS, a replacement for BPA, was associated with increased problematic behaviors. There is a need for replication of findings due to our small sample size.

Cross-cultural applicability of eye-tracking in assessing attention to emotional faces in preschool-aged children.

Humans show an attention bias toward emotional versus neutral information, which is considered an adaptive pattern of information processing. Deviations from this pattern have been observed in children with socially withdrawn behaviors, with most research being conducted in controlled settings among children from urban areas. The goal of the current study was to examine the cross-cultural applicability of two eye-tracking-based measures in assessing attention biases and their relations to children's symptoms of socially withdrawn behaviors in two independent and diverse samples of preschool children. The cross-cultural comparison was conducted between the Navajo Birth Cohort study (NBCS), an indigenous cohort with relatively low socioeconomic status (SES), and the Illinois Kids Development study (IKIDS), a primarily Non-Hispanic White and high SES cohort. Children in both cohorts completed eye-tracking tasks with pictures of emotional faces, and mothers reported on children's symptoms of socially withdrawn behaviors. Results showed that general patterns of attention biases were mostly the same across samples, reflecting heightened attention toward emotional versus neutral faces. The differences across two samples mostly involved the magnitude of attention biases. NBCS children were slower to disengage from happy faces when these emotional faces were paired with neutral faces. Additionally, socially withdrawn children in the NBCS sample showed a pattern of attentional avoidance for emotional faces. The comparability of overall patterns of attention biases provides initial support for the cross-cultural applicability of the eye-tracking measures and demonstrates the robustness of these methods across clinical and community settings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Examining the association between prenatal maternal stress and infant non-nutritive suck.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the relationship between prenatal maternal stress (PREMS) and non-nutritive suck (NNS) and tested its robustness across 2 demographically diverse populations. METHODS: The study involved 2 prospective birth cohorts participating in the national Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program: Illinois Kids Development Study (IKIDS) and ECHO Puerto Rico (ECHO-PROTECT). PREMS was measured during late pregnancy via the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). NNS was sampled from 1- to 8-week-olds using a custom pacifier for ~5 min. RESULTS: Overall, 237 mother-infant dyads completed this study. Despite several significant differences, including race/ethnicity, income, education, and PREMS levels, significant PREMS-NNS associations were found in the 2 cohorts. In adjusted linear regression models, higher PREMS, measured through PSS-10 total scores, related to fewer but longer NNS bursts per minute. CONCLUSIONS: A significant association was observed between PREMS and NNS across two diverse cohorts. This finding is important as it may enable the earlier detection of exposure-related deficits and, as a result, earlier intervention, which potentially can optimize outcomes. More research is needed to understand how NNS affects children's neurofunction and development. IMPACT: In this double-cohort study, we found that higher maternal perceived stress assessed in late pregnancy was significantly associated with fewer but longer sucking bursts in 1- to 8-week-old infants. This is the first study investigating the association between prenatal maternal stress (PREMS) and infant non-nutritive suck (NNS), an early indicator of central nervous system integrity. Non-nutritive suck is a potential marker of increased prenatal stress in diverse populations. Non-nutritive suck can potentially serve as an early indicator of exposure-related neuropsychological deficits allowing for earlier interventions and thus better prognoses.

Radiomorphometric indices for sex estimation in edentulous individuals: A receiver operating characteristic curve and discriminant function analysis-based study.

This study aimed to evaluate sexual dimorphism in Brazilian edentulous individuals using a formula based on mandible-related linear radiomorphometric measurements. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 390 panoramic radiographs (PRs) distributed into three age groups (51-60, 61-70, and 71-80 years). PRs were used to obtain linear measurements of the mandible and derived indices (superior and inferior panoramic mandibular indices [s-PMI and i-PMI, respectively], alveolar bone resorption [ABR] index), and the mandibular cortical index (MCI). Sex-related differences (and sex classifications) increased in the oldest cohort. Both s-PMI and i-PMI were shown to be significant in predicting sex in the age group from 71 to 80 years (p = 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively) and, when considering the mean of the sides, only the s-PMI was significant (p = 0.037). The ABR index was significantly associated with sex (p = 0.004) and not influenced by MCI, and was used to construct a formula for sex estimation, which demonstrated 69.0% accuracy in the age group of 71-80 years. Sexual dimorphism was evidenced by the formula based on the s-PMI, i-PMI, and ABR indices.

Effect of preemptive photobiomodulation associated with nimesulide on the postsurgical outcomes, oxidative stress, and quality of life after third molar surgery: a randomized, split-mouth, controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to compare the effect of photobiomodulation with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and nimesulide on inflammatory parameters, biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation, and quality of life after lower third molar (L3M) surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized, two-factor, triple-blind, controlled, split-mouth clinical trial was performed with 40 volunteers who required bilateral L3M removal. Patients were allocated depending on the use or not of 100 mg nimesulide 1 hbefore surgery, as well as the use or not of LLLT in the preoperative period. RESULTS: Pain peaks occurred after 6 h (nimesulide-placebo [N-P] group) and 8 h (nimesulide group). In the N-P group, LLLT resulted in significantly lower mean pain scores than the subgroup without LLLT after 4 h (p = 0.009) and 6 h (p = 0.048). As for edema, a shorter distance between the mandibular angle and the outer canthus of the eyes after 7 days (p = 0.037) and a smaller cumulative effect (p = 0.036) were observed in the N-P group associated with LLLT. A direct effect between LLLT (p = 0.047) and a reduction in the mean scores of overall dissatisfaction with quality of life was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Preemptive use of nimesulide only delayed peak pain. LLLT reduced edema, trismus, and contributed to a better perception of quality of life. Nimesulide inhibits peroxidation by increasing GSH and stopping neutrophil migration. The benefit of the association of both strategies was not superior to the use of LLLT alone. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Translational study with impact on clinical-surgical protocols involving L3M surgery related to pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods.

Diagnostic accuracy of paranasal sinus measurements on multislice computed tomography for sex estimation: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression.

This systematic review aimed to answer the question, "Are paranasal measurements obtained with multislice computed tomography able to accurately estimate sex?" This PROSPERO-registered systematic review included six databases and gray literature. Meta-analysis of linear and volumetric data was performed using a random-effects model, mean differences (MDs), and inverse variance. The QUADAS-2 tool-related risk of bias (RoB) and certainty evidence (GRADE approach) were assessed. A total of 1651 articles were initially selected from the main electronic databases for title and abstract screening. After removing duplicates and studies that did not meet the inclusion criteria, 18 studies were eligible for the meta-analysis. The screened studies included 2507 computed tomography of non-pathologic paranasal sinuses of adults aged between 18 and 40 years. Frontal sinus (FS) width (-4.89 mm; p < 0.00001) and maxillary sinus (MS) height (-3.73 mm; p < 0.00001) showed the greatest MD between females and males. Regarding volume, the MD was significant (p < 0.00001) in both paranasal sinuses (-3.01 and -1.04 cm3 , respectively). The best sensitivity (ability to identify males) and specificity (ability to identify females) were found for the anteroposterior (72.3%) and intermaxillary (69%) MS distances, respectively. In general, all studies exhibited low RoB and applicability concerns. The certainty of the evidence was categorized as very low to moderate. Both paranasal sinuses were shown to be dimorphic structures, which could be valuable tools for forensic identification using the FS width and MS anteroposterior distance measurements. However, heterogeneity among studies must be considered.

Associations of concurrent PCB and PBDE serum concentrations with executive functioning in adolescents.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are ubiquitous environmental chemicals that have long half-lives. Humans are exposed to PCBs and PBDEs mainly through diet, and relative to other populations, those who consume sport-caught fish generally have elevated body burdens. Numerous studies have found associations between prenatal exposure to these chemicals and neurodevelopmental deficits, but there are few studies assessing the impact of exposure during adolescence, a period of rapid development of executive functions. We assessed executive functions in adolescents at risk for exposure to PCBs and PBDEs through consumption of fish from the Lower Fox River and other contaminated waters in northeastern Wisconsin. Between 2007 and 2012, a sample of 115 12-18-year-old children was recruited from households in the Green Bay, WI area in which at least one parent held a WI fishing license. We assessed associations of total PCBs and total PBDEs, as well as the predominant individual congeners (PBDE 47 and 153; PCB 138/163, 153 and 180) with performance on four tests from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB): Intradimensional/Extradimensional Set-Shifting (ID/ED) which assesses cognitive flexibility, Delayed Matching to Sample (DMS) which assesses visual recognition memory, Spatial Working Memory (SWM), and Stockings of Cambridge (SOC) which assess planning and working memory. In addition to the exposure and outcome variables, multivariable regression models included the child's age, sex and IQ score as well as a sex by exposure interaction term. All of the children were non-Hispanic whites and most parents were married, employed, and had at least some college. After adjusting for serum lipids, the GM (GSD) for total PCBs (ng/g) was 30.83 (2.46), and the GM (GSD) for the predominant PCB congeners PCB 138/163, PCB 153, and PCB 180 were 4.60 (2.39), 5.43 (2.37), and 1.01 (2.71), respectively. The GM (GSD) for total PBDEs (ng/g) was 26.82 (3.30), and the GM (GSD) for the predominant PBDE congeners PBDE 47 and PBDE 153 were 16.64 (2.94) and 3.95 (3.43), respectively. For both chemicals, the primary finding of the negative binomial regression analyses was that higher blood serum concentrations were associated with poorer cognitive flexibility as measured on the ID/ED task. In particular, the PCB x sex interaction p-value was 0.08, and stratifying by sex demonstrated that males with higher blood serum total PCB concentrations (ß = 2.20, 95% CL: 1.16, 4.16, p = 0.02) took more trials to complete the ID/ED task, while both males and females with higher total PBDE concentrations (ß = 1.74, 95% CL: 1.25, 2.42, p = 0.001) took more total trials to complete the task. Higher serum total PCB concentrations were also associated with more errors on the DMS task (ß = 1.15, 95% CL: 1.00, 1.31, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that exposure to PCBs or PBDEs during adolescence may be associated with impaired cognitive flexibility and that adolescent PCB exposure may be associated with visual recognition memory deficits.

Associations of Prenatal Exposure to Phthalates with Measures of Cognition in 4.5-Month-Old Infants.

The association of prenatal phthalate exposure with physical reasoning was assessed in 159 (78 female; 81 male) 4.5-month-old infants from a prospective cohort. Phthalate metabolites were quantified in urine from 16-18 gestational weeks and a pool of five urines from across pregnancy. Infants' looking times to physically impossible and possible events were recorded via infrared eye-tracking. Infants that recognize that one of the events is impossible will look at that event longer. Associations of phthalate biomarkers with looking time differences (impossible-possible) were adjusted for maternal age, infant sex, and order of event presentation, and effect modification by infant sex was assessed. Each interquartile range (IQR) increase of monoethyl phthalate in the pooled sample was associated with females' increased looking time (ß = 1.0; 95%CI = 0.3, 1.7 s) to the impossible event. However, for males, an IQR increase in monoethyl phthalate at 16-18 weeks (ß = -2.5; 95%CI = -4.4,-0.6 s), the sum of di(isononyl) phthalate metabolites in the pooled sample (ß = -1.0; 95%CI = -1.8, -0.1 s), and the sum of all phthalate metabolites in both samples (ß = -2.3; 95%CI = -4.4, -0.2 s) were associated with increased looking to the possible event, suggesting that higher prenatal phthalate exposure is associated with poorer physical reasoning in male infants.

Development and validation of a new formula for sex estimation based on multislice computed tomographic measurements of maxillary and frontal sinuses among Brazilian adults.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the accuracy of the measurements of the maxillary sinus (MS) and frontal sinus (FS) in sex estimation among Brazilian adults using multislice computed tomography (MCT) and to develop and cross-validate a new formula for sex estimation. METHODS: The present cross-sectional research was conducted in two phases: (1) development of a formula on the basis of the measurements of both the sinuses (50 males and 50 females); and (2) validation study (20 males and 20 females). The linear measurements (height, width and diameter) were assessed using the RadiAnt DICOM software. A new formula for sex estimation was developed (multivariate statistical approach) and validated. Receiver operating characteristic curves, area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, accuracy and likelihood ratio were estimated. RESULTS: Males displayed higher mean values (width, height and diameter) of the FS and MS (p < 0.05). The MS was a better predictor in sex estimation (males vs females), compared to the FS (accuracy between 61-74% and 58-69%, respectively). The distance between the right and left MS displayed the highest accuracy (74%). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the new formula were 80%, 95.5% and 87.5%, respectively. 63.1% reduction was observed in the number of predictive values for sex estimation (individuals older than 30 years). CONCLUSIONS: The present MCT measurements showed a higher accuracy in the estimation of sex in males. The highest accuracy was associated with the distance between the right and left MS. The new formula displayed high precision for sex estimation.

Associations of prenatal exposure to phthalates with measures of cognition in 7.5-month-old infants.

BACKGROUND: Phthalates are endocrine disrupting chemicals that have been associated with adverse neurobehavior, but little is known about their influence on infant cognition. METHODS: A visual recognition memory task was used to assess cognition in 244 7-8-month-old infants (121 females; 123 males) from a prospective cohort study. Phthalate metabolites were quantified in maternal urines pooled from across pregnancy. The task included familiarization trials (infant shown 2 identical faces) and test trials (infant shown the now familiar face paired with a novel one). Half of the infants saw one set of faces as familiar (set 1) and half saw the other set as familiar (set 2). During familiarization trials, average run duration (time looking at stimuli before looking away, measure of processing speed), and time to familiarization (time to reach 20 s looking at the stimuli, measure of attention) were assessed. During test trials, novelty preference (proportion of time looking at the novel face, measure of recognition memory) was assessed. Multivariable generalized linear models were used to assess associations of monoethyl phthalate (MEP), sum of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites (ΣDEHP), sum of di(isononyl) phthalate metabolites (ΣDINP), and sum of anti-androgenic phthalate metabolites (ΣAA) with each outcome. RESULTS: Mothers were mostly white and college educated, and urine phthalate concentrations were similar to those in reproductive age women in the U.S. POPULATION: All phthalate exposure biomarkers, except MEP, were associated with increases in average run duration. However, depending on the phthalate, associations were only in males or infants who saw the set 2 stimuli as familiar. Unexpectedly, ΣAA was associated with a shorter time to reach familiarization. Phthalate biomarkers also were associated with modest decrements in novelty preference, but these associations were nonsignificant. CONCLUSION: Prenatal exposure to phthalates may be related to slower information processing and poorer recognition memory in infants.

Sensitive nerve function measurement in facial trauma: An observational study.

BACKGROUND: Facial trauma is responsible for various types of health damage and may be functional or aesthetic. Depending on the degree of energy released in this type of trauma, sometimes an irreversibility degree is obtained. This study aimed to perform an objective evaluation of traumatic peripheral nerve injuries resulting from mandibular fractures and midface, using silicon monofilaments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was an observational, cross-sectional study. All patients with maxillofacial fractures, who were hospitalized by the department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Instituto Dr. José Frota Hospital, were randomly recruited and screened for inclusion in the present study. Sixty patients, victims of automobile accidents or firearms, were evaluated using Semmes Weinstein monofilaments in the regions corresponding to the mental and infraorbital nerves, right and left. RESULTS: The highest frequencies mandibular nerve changes were those that there was a loss protective sensation, but in which, the patient can feel deep pressure and pain; In which the worst sensory alterations occurred in patients' victims of firearm. In the middle third of the face, the worst alterations were those that there was a loss of the protective and discriminating sensation for hot and cold. CONCLUSIONS: The use of monofilaments is a support tool in oral and maxillofacial traumatology for the diagnosis and monitoring of peripheral sensory alterations. Key words:Peripheral nerve injuries, facial trauma, wounds and injuries, accidents, traffic, violence.

Associations of Maternal Stress, Prenatal Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), and Demographic Risk Factors with Birth Outcomes and Offspring Neurodevelopment: An Overview of the ECHO.CA.IL Prospective Birth Cohorts.

BACKGROUND: Infants whose mothers experience greater psychosocial stress and environmental chemical exposures during pregnancy may face greater rates of preterm birth, lower birth weight, and impaired neurodevelopment. METHODS: ECHO.CA.IL is composed of two cohorts, Chemicals in Our Bodies (CIOB; n = 822 pregnant women and n = 286 infants) and Illinois Kids Development Study (IKIDS; n = 565 mother-infant pairs), which recruit pregnant women from San Francisco, CA and Urbana-Champaign, IL, respectively. We examined associations between demographic characteristics and gestational age, birth weight z-scores, and cognition at 7.5 months across these two cohorts using linear models. We also examined differences in biomarkers of exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), measured in second-trimester serum, and psychosocial stressors by cohort and participant demographics. RESULTS: To date, these cohorts have recruited over 1300 pregnant women combined. IKIDS has mothers who are majority white (80%), whereas CIOB mothers are racially and ethnically diverse (38% white, 34% Hispanic, 17% Asian/Pacific Islander). Compared to CIOB, median levels of PFOS, a specific PFAS congener, are higher in IKIDS (2.45 ng/mL versus 1.94 ng/mL), while psychosocial stressors are higher among CIOB. Across both cohorts, women who were non-white and single had lower birth weight z-scores relative to white women and married women, respectively. Demographic characteristics are not associated with cognitive outcomes at 7.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: This profile of the ECHO.CA.IL cohort found that mothers and their infants who vary in terms of socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, and geographic location are similar in many of our measures of exposures and cognitive outcomes. Similar to past work, we found that non-white and single women had lower birth weight infants than white and married women. We also found differences in levels of PFOS and psychosocial stressors based on geographic location.

Associations of prenatal maternal stress with measures of cognition in 7.5-month-old infants.

Studies have shown that prenatal stress can negatively impact neurodevelopment, but little is known about its effect on early cognitive development. We assessed the impact of prenatal stress on cognition in 152 7.5-month-old infants using Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), maternal telomere length (MTL), and a Stressful Life Events (SLE) Scale. A visual recognition memory task consisting of nine blocks, each with one familiarization trial (two identical stimuli) followed by two test trials (one familiar stimulus, one novel), was administered. Outcomes assessed included: average time looking at stimuli (measure: processing speed), time to reach looking time criterion (measure: attention), and the proportion of time looking at the novel stimulus (measure: recognition memory). We examined the association of each stress measure with each outcome adjusted for infant age and sex, which of the two stimuli in each set was novel, household income, and maternal age, education, and IQ. Higher prenatal stress was associated with shorter looking durations [PSS (ß = -1.6, 95% CI: -2.5, -0.58); SLE (ß = 0.58, 95% CI: -0.08, 1.24); MTL (ß = 1.81, 95% CI: 0.18, 3.44)] and longer time to reach criterion [PSS (ß = 9.1, 95% CI: 1.6, 16.6); SLE (ß = 12.2, 95% CI: 1.9, 24.1); MTL (ß = -23.1, 95% CI: -45.3, -0.9)], suggesting that higher prenatal stress is associated with decreased visual attention in infancy.